Disco returns in Edmonton Opera's Valentine's fundraiser: Clothier part of greatest team celebration

“When children experience opera, they learn important lessons about music and the beauty of language. They also get the opportunity to stretch their imaginations and embrace the magic of the art form," said Alberta Lt.-Gov. Lois Mitchell.

Edmonton Opera set a new high note for fundraising when it recreated Studio 54 on Valentine’s Day to mark the company’s 54th season.

But the former Manhattan nightclub, world renowned in the late 1970s when disco dancing was at its peak, could never have entertained such a stylish, fun crowd as the one at the Shaw Conference Centre.

Bob Bessette, who hosted the evening with his wife Michelle Bessette, said the question is sometimes asked why it is important to support the arts.

“I would like to quote Pablo Picasso, who said, ‘Art washes from the soul the dust of everyday life,’” said Bessette, a wealth management consultant.

“I think what Picasso was saying is that work and business are how we make a living, but the arts are how we make a life and a thriving arts scene is essential to any prosperous community.”

The Edmonton Opera chorus and Citie Ballet gave a world-class performance when the Shaw Conference Centre’s Hall D became a recreated Studio 54 to mark the opera company’s 54th season at a Valentine’s Gala on Feb. 14, 2018.Madison Kerr /
Supplied

Many of the 800 black-tied guests nodded in time when opera chorus members sang Dancing Queen, ABBA’s biggest and most well-known hit, while Citie Ballet dancers added vision to the music provided by the Royal Canadian Artillery Band.

Alberta Lt.-Gov. Lois Mitchell said one of the things she most appreciates about Edmonton Opera is the work the company does in reaching out to classrooms.

“I started my career as a teacher and appreciate how much outreach programs can benefit young minds,” she said.

“When children experience opera, they learn important lessons about music and the beauty of language. They also get the opportunity to stretch their imaginations and embrace the magic of the art form.

“It makes them more creative, open-minded and thoughtful learners and that’s a powerful gift to give to a young person.”

Edmonton Opera regularly invites schools to take in a final dress rehearsal. Some 2,000 students recently delighted in a daytime performance of Gilbert and Sullivan’s HMS Pinafore.

The Queen’s representative also said we all need a little beauty and inspiration in our lives and believes music and dance are “good medicine for the heart, mind and soul.”

Irv and Dianne Kipnes began the Valentine’s Gala in their kitchen 29 years ago and it gradually expanded to the Hotel Macdonald’s Wedgewood Room and finally to the Shaw, said Bessette.

“Irv and Dianne’s efforts on continuing the annual Valentine’s Gala has been one of the main sources of sustainability of the opera,” he said. “The Kipness Foundation is matching the donations of those who made tonight’s gala possible. And it is also matching all donations made this evening.”

Sixteen local companies sponsored the attendance at the $500-a-ticket gala of 154 members of the Canadian military, Edmonton firefighters, Edmonton Police Service and Emergency Medical Services.

Clothier Sam Abouhassan, front left, and former Edmonton Oilers’ legendary coach Glen Sather celebrate in the team’s Rogers Place dressing room with Mike Krushelnyski, back left, Grant Fuhr, Jari Kurri and Esa Tikkanen after the 1984-85 Oilers were named the NHL’s Greatest Team on Feb. 12, 2018.Supplied

He scored big

A note from the Edmonton Oilers to clothier Sam Abouhassan last week: “Aside from being the greatest NHL team in 100 years, it was also the best-dressed team in 100 years.”

Abouhassan had been asked by an Oilers’ committee, which included Kevin Lowe, to make a sports jacket and tie for 40 players, trainers, coaching staff, management and owners.

“Of course I was most happy to dress them for their celebrations at Rogers Place,” said Abouhassan. “When they wanted something dressy back in 1985, team members always came to me.”

Some 3.5 million fans had voted the team The Greatest of All Time during celebrations surrounding the NHL’s 100-year anniversary.

“Many of the players came to my store in Commerce Place recently for fittings and a few living overseas provided me with their measurements,” said Abouhassan.

“It was especially good to reunite with the likes of Europeans Esa Tikkanen, Jari Kurri and Jaroslav Pouzar. But the clock was wound back and players were again all instantly friends. They were here to celebrate their achievements, but also to remember their friend Dave Semenko.”

Abouhassan watched as a team photo was taken of players in their custom-made attire. And then Wayne Gretzky yelled, “Hey Sammy, come and get a photo with us. You deserve one for making us look so good.”

The clothier became a close friend of the Oilers after former coach Glen Sather took clothes for alterations to Abouhassan’s store in the basement of the old King Edward Hotel in 1980.

“Glen was easy to talk,” said the clothier. “I made him a suit and he recommended me to his players.”

Abouhassan became friends with many and was with the team in their dressing room that night in 1984 when the Oilers won their first Stanley Cup.

In 2000, Abouhassan and Lowe, a six-time Stanley Cup winner, co-chaired the first Tee Up for Tots golf tournament supporting the Stollery Children’s Hospital. The event has now raised more than $10 million.

When Gretzky was appointed the 2002 Canadian national men’s hockey team executive director, he invited Abouhassan to make the uniforms for the team destined to win the Olympic gold medal.

“Some say this was the last time team members will gather together for such an occasion,” said Abouhassan. “Don’t bet on it. They will all still be good friends in another 10 years.”

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